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Have your say on police

COPELAND residents go to the polls today to elect the county’s first police and crime commissioner – but exactly how many will exercise their vote remains to be seen.

Ever since the government announced the creation of the PCC – which will replace the current police authorities and act as a link between the public and the police – it has been mired in controversy.

Supporters say the successful candidate will be a figurehead, speaking with our voice to hold the police accountable. Critics respond that the soon-to-be-scrapped police authorities were adequate, and this is an unnecessary and costly process at a time when money is tight.

Whatever side of the fence you’re on, Cumbria will elect a PCC today – low voter turnout or not – to be in place for the next three-and-a-half years. They’ll earn £65,000-a-year of our money to be our voice – so if we want our views heard, we mustn’t waste our vote.